Iran: ICRC president discusses cooperation with authorities

07-05-2014 News Release

Geneva/Tehran (ICRC) – Peter Maurer, president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), completed a three-day visit to Iran today. He met with the foreign minister and other Iranian officials to discuss humanitarian issues and implementation of international humanitarian law in the country. This is his second visit to Iran since taking office in August 2012.

"Iran plays an important role in the global dialogue on Islam and the principles of international humanitarian law," said Mr Maurer. "The ICRC is committed to providing further support for the dialogue. We also look forward to further discussions with the Iranian authorities on humanitarian challenges arising from growing violence in parts of the Middle East."

Mr Maurer also had talks with the president of the Red Crescent Society of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and attended ceremonies marking World International Red Cross Red Crescent Week in Iran.

"Cooperation between the ICRC and the Iranian Red Crescent is very satisfactory," he said. "We are interested in working together more closely in fields such as health and emergency preparedness and response, and addressing the humanitarian consequences of migration."

The ICRC has been working in Iran almost continuously since 1977. One of its principal concerns has been the fate of tens of thousands of soldiers who went missing during the eight-year conflict with Iraq. It supports official efforts by Iran and Iraq to determine what happened to those who vanished in order to relieve the suffering of their families. The ICRC is also working in partnership with the Iranian Red Crescent to provide assistance for people disabled by mines or other explosive devices.